r/banddirector

I recently inherited a junior college band with non-enrolled community members. I’m having a hard time finding the balance of programming educational pieces and “fun” pop music to entertain the community members.

My student enrollment is low - really low, so I feel like I need the community members to beef the group up. Yes, I plan to recruit, but that’s a long term goal. How have you handled this situation?

Additionally, my students are typical junior college students. These are usually their first time getting applied lessons, and need a lot of fundamentals. How do I balance a warm-up fundamental review for the students and not lose the focus of the community members?

It’s a delicate balancing act that I’m struggling with at the moment.

How do you lesson plan? What do your syllabus look like? I taught Band for one year but was very pregnant and very ill so I pretty much flew by the seat of my pants. I am wanting to be a little bit more prepared this time.

I lnow its not realy Tuba realted but in a couple of monts our band director is leaving after a consert and im searching for a piece we can play as a goodbye on that consert if posible sheet music we can play with flex band sheet music(we dont have a lot of diferent instruments) can anybody give me good recomendations?

Hello! I am looking for some additional schools to participate in my final masters project.
This is targeted at middle or high school programs. The project would involve playing a specific piece for an October concert.
Requirements:
Group to play the specific grade 2-2.5 piece
Rehearse and perform as part of normal concert cycle.
Concert has to be in October.

All you have to do is fill out a survey before and after the concert cycle and you will get a free licensed copy of the piece.

If interested I will share the more formal (longer) write up with specifics directly to you.
Thank you!

Hey ive got a couple things. So not exactly a band director, however, I've recently become a daycare teacher for preschoolers. This is a very expensive daycare so we have a music class, Spanish, ect. We are in between Music teachers currently and so that music slot is up to me. ​I've done a few things (noise makers to give puppet animals voices, freeze dance ect.) One of them being me bringing in my flute.

Now I remember when I first started band my director had a spray the he used between kids, just the spray nothing else and I would love if anyone knew what that was? I would love to have the kids be able to try to make sound but I swear if we all get sick again I will lose it.

Also if anyone has some fun movement related activities I would love some ideas! It's my first 6 months in childcare and I'd love to learn from my seniors. Thanks in advance!

Im going to be a band director! I'm very excited to be starting this new path, seeing as I taught geberal music for the last 5 years. Im teaching 5th and 6th grade band, 6th grade general music, and 5th grade strings. I am looking for any tips, tricks, or advice!!

Thanks in advance!

Do school bands need more / various instruments or would getting instruments serviced, and having a supply of accessories like reeds, strings, and the like be more helpful to the band?

Hi everyone,

Im looking to switch career fields from finance to music. I did music lessons with students at the local high school while I was in college and while I didn’t plan on teaching, I grew to really enjoy it.

Im getting a teaching certificate at the moment and qualify to teach music classes since my minor was in music. So my question is, would y’all consider an applicant with a degree in an unrelated field?

Im currently debating if I want to go back and finish out a degree as a music major (I could get it done in 3 semesters due to all the credits I had from my minor and ensembles, so not too long).

Edit: thank you all for the responses. What you said is kinda what l was thinking but I wanted to ask before spending a ton of money on another bachelors

Hey Everyone!

I realized at my stare contest this year that this tool is not something everyone knows about so I thoughts I would share. This has a rubber / plastic tip, so it doesn't damage instruments! Stuck valve cap? Not anymore.

I know I use this for more, I take it to every contest, but I can't think of what I have all used it for this year. When I pulled it out at contest to loosen a stuck top valve cap for a kid (so she could oil her valve), a nearby director asked me about it. Maybe you all already know, but I figured I would share just in case! There are cheaper options, too, this is just the closest to what I have at my school from a previous director!

Hello! Looking to find some quartet/small ensemble music recommendations for mixed ability level high school students. Flexible instrumentation. Any books I should check out? Thank you!

Where is everyone sourcing their rubber chickens for the Standridge chicken pieces? Trying not to break the bank with a community band and a middle school group this summer.